Ethical, Legal and Culturally Reflective Practice
Overview
In this unit, students are provided with an overview of the codes and laws regulating their practice as psychologists. Students will come to understand the nuances of common professional dilemmas and will engage in decision making processes with references to the PsyBA Code of Conduct, the APS Code of Ethics and relevant legal codes. Students will receive support to develop their skills in self-reflection as the foundation for ongoing professional development and culturally responsive and reflexive practice.
Requisites
Rules
Admission to the DR-PHICP Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology)
OR
MA-PSYCLP Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology)
Rules
- HAY543 - Professional Ethical and Legal Issues
- HAYC554 - Professional Ethics and Psychopharmacology
- PSY60004 - Professional Ethical and Legal Issues;
- PSY80085 - Professional, Ethical and Legal Issues;
- PSY80086 - Professional Ethics and Psychopharmacology
31-May-2026
02-August-2026
Unit learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Apply knowledge that includes an extended understanding of the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics and Ethical Guidelines, the PsyBA Code of Conduct, and relevant laws to issues of professional practice including confidentiality and informed consent, professional boundaries, report writing, record keeping, and cultural reflexivity
- Apply an Ethical Decision Making Model in a professional context
- Critically analyse their personal cultural positioning, and the implications of this for ethical professional conduct
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Activity Type | Activity | Total Hours | Number of Weeks | Hours Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus | Class | 36 | 12 weeks | 3 |
| Unspecified Activities | Independent Learning | 66 | 12 weeks | 5.5 |
| Specified Activities | Group Meetings | 48 | 12 weeks | 4 |
| Total Hours: | 150 | Total Hours (per week): | 12.5 | |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Studies | Individual | 40% | 1,2 |
| Reflective Journal | Individual | 30% | 1,3 |
| In-Class Presentation | Group | 30% | 1,2 |
Content
Students will be introduced to the APS Code of Ethics, the PsyBA Code of Conduct and laws relevant to the practice of psychology. Students will receive support in applying these regulatory codes to topics that may include: confidentiality and informed consent, professional boundaries, report writing, record keeping, and the importance of culturally reflective practice.
- Graduate Attribute: Communication Skills: Verbal Communication
- Graduate Attribute: Communication Skills: Communicating using different media
- Graduate Attribute: Teamwork Skills: Collaboration and negotiation
- Graduate Attribute: Teamwork Skills: Teamwork roles and processes
- Graduate Attribute: Digital Literacies: Information literacy
- Graduate Attribute: Digital Literacies: Technical literacy
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.